Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new HIV prevention approach where HIV-negative individuals use anti-HIV medications to reduce their risk of becoming infected if they are exposed to the virus. It is an additional tool for people to consider in the HIV prevention toolbox.

PrEP trials have happened or are happening in Africa, Asia, South America, and North America. They include different people who may be exposed to HIV through unprotected anal and vaginal sex and sharing injection needles. From the research, we know that if you don’t take PrEP consistently it can’t protect you from HIV, but if you do take it regularly it can offer strong protection.

Why do we need new HIV prevention tools, like PrEP? Aren’t condoms enough? What about side effects from the PrEP drugs? Who will pay for PrEP? Is PrEP available right now?Have questions? You aren’t the only one.

The million-dollar question is how will PrEP work in the real world? We know people behave differently in clinical trials than they do in their regular, daily lives. This PrEP demonstration project is being funded by the National Institutes of Health and will be locally implemented by San Francisco Department of Public Health at San Francisco City Clinic.

This project is a collaboration of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, San Francisco Department of Public Health, Project Inform, Be The Generation, Gilead Sciences and other local health agencies, community-based providers, and PrEP advocates, like Jake Sobo.